Community Corner

March Makeover Winner Enjoys Being 'Princess for a Day'

Andrea Lyng has put all her time and energy into her family. On Saturday, it was her turn to do a little something for herself.

On the popular parenting blog Parenting Illustrated by Crappy Pictures is an entry comparing what it was like to sit in a waiting room before and after having kids. Before kids, one couldn't get out of there fast enough.

After kids? A completely different story.

Such was Andrea Lyng's state of mind Saturday when she claimed her provided by Enumclaw's Sleek Hair Design and Skin Deep, housed in the former site of Shine Salon and Spa on Railroad Street across from the city library.

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As stylist Krystal Atchley worked on her hair, she joked about the table in the massage room down the hall. "Is a nap in the massage room a part of this package?"

If Lyng was remotely fatigued from the full-time job of caring for her 5-year-old daughter, Charlie, and 14-month-old son, Tristan, she didn't show it. Even while she turned down Charlie's request to go with Mom to the spa, "They are a handful, but they are the best things!" Lyng said.

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"I said, 'No way, this is my spa day,'" to which Charlie reportedly responded, "Oh, Mom!"

Lyng's easy smile doesn't betray the fact that she, along with her family, has been through some challenging times in the past few years. Her husband lost his father, her own father fell ill and the couple survived two miscarriages before they brought little Tristan into the world.

"He's definitely our little miracle," she said. "Just a huge blessing."

Her love for her family is illustrated by several colorful tattoos that adorn her body: her daughter's hands adorn the back of her neck, her children's names are inscribed on each wrist, a bouquet of sunflowers representing her family is on her left arm, an imprint of her son's foot is on the outside of her left calf and a ribbon in honor of her father's health on her inside left ankle.

The body art aside, Lyng, who said she used to go to salons regularly for hair and nails before having children, hasn't been to a salon in four years. The last visit was a birthday gift from her husband of seven years this August.

She's worn her hair short since Charlie was born and her makeup routine these days consists of mascara and chapstick. On the rare occasion she decides to wear eye shadow, she says her husband comments, "Ooh, where are you going all dressed up?"

But it's OK with her. "Nobody can afford luxuries like a spa these days, definitely not us."

And she's perfectly happy putting her energy toward her children instead. "You don't worry about your needs. That's what I signed up for when I got married and as a mommy."

Her one self "indulgence," however, is her health. In the past year, Lyng has lost 100 pounds through the old-fashioned way of watching what she eats and exercising--usually after her children have gone to bed. Her kids have benefitted from her improved health as well. "I'm getting out and getting active with my kids. I roll around and play with them. They love it."

Winning this makeover contest, then, was icing on the cake for her hard work in slimming down. Lyng said she still has 18 pounds to go before she's at her goal weight, and she entered the contest on a whim after seeing it announced on Patch's Facebook page.

"I never win anything," she said. After learning that wasn't the case this time, "I about started crying. I told my mom and she's like, 'You deserve this.' They [mom and husband] said I never do anything for myself."

Lyng's makeover package, valued at $350, included hair, nails, a spray tan and makeup. Services were provided by Atchley and esthetician Sarah Brock; their businesses Sleek Hair Design and Skin Deep are now housed at the former site of Shine Salon and Spa on Railroad Street across from the city library. Nail technician Cathy Vorpahl also works out of the same building. And freelance makeup artist Rikki Fortenberry provided Lyng's makeup service.

Vorpahl, who was sick on Saturday, would be rescheduling Lyng for her mani/pedi later. Lyng didn't seem to mind. "The facial was amazing," she said. "It's nice getting pampered. ... I feel like I'm going to be princess for a day."

Enter the Contest

Through the rest of the year, Sleek Hair Design and Skin Deep will be selecting one winner each month to receive this makeover package. To enter, simply tell us in 500 words or less, why you or someone you know (must be 18 years of age or older) deserves this free makeover package. Send your nomination to Enumclaw Patch Local Editor April Chan at april.chan@patch.com by the 10th of each month and the winning entry qualifies for the makeover that month.

Our next contest deadline is April 10, but why wait until then? Get your entries in today!

See complete rules attached to this story.


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